Warning: this post discusses current events so mentions a lot of potentially distressing topics, including, but not limited to: war, child labour, train accidents, Covid.
WTF is actually going on?
The 2020s are something else, honestly.
Someone needs to turn reality off and turn it back on again - simulation or not, this sh** is glitching.
'“How am I supposed to help if you’re off in the land of the God-Complex?”
Loki’s lips thinned, but any glare was lost on Stark who had his back to him.'
I'm a fan of novel-length fics, I'm a fan of FrostIron. Put the two together?
Oh boy, do I have a treat for you.
It's Thursday, somehow it's March, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
It's still February, so this post is not late 😉
So, with no further ado to-do (...I don't know either,) let's get some Micropoetry.
As always, the poetry will be in the alt-text for those using screen-readers, with / marks showing the line breaks.
Warning: this post discusses general bigotry, as well as more detailed anti-Semitism and racism, and other related topics.
Links may include distressing content.
I'm Welsh, bookish, and a rebel - of course I'm going to talk about the Roald Dahl edits. 😅
'“Like deja-vu?” Sam asks, confusion evident in his voice.
“Yeah but for the whole day.” They’re silent for a moment, Sam looking like he doesn’t know what to say, so Bucky tries again. “Like we’re in a time loop,” he says finally.'
You can find time-loop fics for pretty much any fandom, and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) is no exception.
Though it isn't so much of a thing for TFATWS as it is for, say... the horror film Ready or Not. Where the fandom has decided that time loops will both be a thing, and be the primary premise of 80% of the fics available.
...Lol. I love fandom.
(If you're not sure what a time loop is, check out the TV Tropes page here.)
It's Thursday, I am tired, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness right here on Dora Reads
(WARNING: This post discusses the violent death of a Trans child, i.e. the murder of Brianna Ghey, and related topics, including but not limited to - Transphobia, systemic Transphobia, hate crimes, misgendering, deadnaming.
Any links may likewise contain distressing material.)
There is only one topic that I could see myself writing about this week.
The thing that has haunted so many LGBTQ+ people in the UK and beyond. The murder of Brianna Ghey.
'Yoon Hwa Pyung had no idea how to use a rosary.
When he came to on the pitching deck of a small fishing boat, salt in his mouth and sun beating down on his face, he registered distantly the feeling of beads digging into the skin of his left wrist, a metal cross dug deep into his palm.'
...I found it on Netflix and couldn't stop watching it dammit!
It's a beautiful ball of demons and horror and angst and hope and... argh! I loved it.
It's Thursday, I'm tired, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
January was hell.
I got some Very Bad news about a very close family member.
The 'it doesn't get better' kind of news.
I'm not really ready to go into it, further than saying I've found myself becoming a carer again. Yay.
So January was enough to say that 2023 is a bad year. Straight off.
I'm just hoping it stays at this level of bad and doesn't get worse. I can just about cope if it does that.
Warning: this post discusses various historical shenanigans, which means it ends up covering topics including but not limited to: racism, Homophobia, colonisation, and war.
The phrase 'revisionist history' is one I've seen crop up from time to time, usually from someone right-wing and ill-informed, when people are discussing diversity in history.
Since it's LGBT+ History Month here in the UK, and Black History Month in the USA (the UK's is in October,) - I've seen it more than once, in my online travellings, since the start of February.
And it's irritating.
So...
For all those who assume that European history, in particular, looks a certain way, a few snapshots in time, from across the continent:
'There was an argument happening some ways away, Diego and Luther throwing another one of their hissy fits. Klaus was too high to follow what was being said even if he could see every molecule of air vibrating at its own frequency.'
This one's weird.
Good weird? Bad weird?
I don't honestly know.
But it's weird. And you know I love me some weird 😅
It's Thursday, this is Dora Reads, let's get some of that comics-y superhero-y goodness!
'“This isn’t some true-crime podcast, alright?”
Sam blinks again, taken aback by the sudden anger in Bucky’s tone. He opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again to ask, “Who taught you about podcasts?”'
Should I be concerned, do you think, that this isn't the first time I've rec'd a The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) fanfic where Bucky's the ghost in a haunted house, and Sam has to deal with this sh**?
Meh, I guess it's not the weirdest fanfic trope that's out there. (Please, if you know what the weirdest trope is - DON'T tell me, I want to preserve what's left of my web-based innocence 😅)
It's Thursday, it's February, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
I'm used to an existential crisis or two in my life. I usually have at least one a week.
(And the more naive among you probably think I'm joking, or exaggerating in some way. *laughs in hysterical Queer millennial*)
But one of the few things I've never doubted is my purpose - reading, and writing.
...But whether to fulfil that purpose?
What fulfilling that purpose looks like? Whether that purpose means anything, in the grand scheme of things? Whether I'm destined to fail in that purpose? Why this is my purpose? Whether we are all doomed to meaninglessness in a universe that dissolves into entropy, and if that is the case, then whether writing some silly little poems or stories is actually worth anything...
...OK. I think you get the gist.
'Klaus was used to the floor tilting under his feet.'
I finished watching series 3 of The Umbrella Academy (TUA) this week - so obviously I'm now in desperate for more TUA content.
Because - as is well established by this point - I am trash.
It's Thursday, I'm trying not to fall back on overworking as an unhealthy coping mechanism in stressful times, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
I really like languages, OK?
I like to play with them, twist them, turn them, taste them, learn them.
(And yes, I do literally mean taste them - synaesthesia.)
So... I put Duolingo on my phone a while back. (Not sponsored - sadly.)
It wasn't a 'New Year's Resolution' type deal-y. I don't do those, and besides, it was late last year when I randomly decided to get Duolingo.
'“It's been a year, Buck,” he said. “I hate seein’ you like this. When was the last time you talked to someone other than me?”
“I talked to Nat last week,” Bucky muttered, knowing it was a poor excuse.'
It's Thursday, this week has been truly awful for me, so let's get some superhero-y comics-y goodness!
I feel like it's a good time of year to remind myself of something:
I only have two hands.
Now, obviously, that makes sense literally (for me, at least) - but it works on a metaphorical/figurative type of way too.
I can only do what I can do - I only have so many hours in a day, so much energy to expend, so many resources to draw on... I only have two hands.
Hello 2023 nerdlets!
For this first Friday Fics Fix of the year, I figured I'd take a little look at some of the fics that stood out for me last year (2022 - in case we've all forgotten already 😅)
These aren't necessarily the 'best' fics - just the ones that stuck out most in my brain, for whatever reason.
I hope you find something you enjoy here! Or that destroys you emotionally (in a good way) - as fanfiction often does. 😅
And remember to check the original rec'ing post for the Content Warnings, and also the fic author's own tags.
'“Just give me a—hint, Loki. Jesus,” Tony says, panting when Enchantress’ fire trails a scorching path all around the exterior of the suit. At least that’s solved the weather problem, he thinks, as he unibeams her in the face.'
that one last tender place by oopshidaisy
So the whole *waves hands vaguely* deal with this fic is that Tony and Loki (from the MCU, in case you've stumbled onto this post by accident) have been linked mentally and emotionally in a sort-of-soul-bond type-deal-y.
Because magical shenanigans.
This is FrostIron. Because I am trash, and I don't care.
I just love Tony and Loki together *shrugs* - it weirdly works.
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(Fandom notes:
FrostIron is a romantic and/or sexual relationship between Iron Man, aka Tony Stark, and Loki, from the MCU (Marvel movies.))
Is there angst?
Well, this is me rec'ing it, so yes.
There's a butt-tonne of angst and hurt/comfort, and emotions every-goddamn-where.
What stood out to me about this one is just the whole interweave and dynamic between Tony and Loki, but also the actual plot being pretty damned good!
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Magical Shenanigans With Tony and Loki
'But the lies were out there, circulating, and were made into a movie, which is a really mixed blessing. Let’s pretend this narration is over the title crawl, and cut to our heroine...'
Anita's Voice by tangentti
Jennifer's Body is a 2009 cult-classic unapologetically Queer horror film.
This fic imagines an AU where the film Jennifer's Body is actually an adaptation of a true crime story
And Needy Lesnicki - the main character - still in the wind and on the run several years later, has seen the movie. She has some thoughts.
(Oh, and it should be obvious from the premise, but in case it's not: this fic is full of SPOILERS.)
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(Fandom notes:
AU = Alternate Universe)
As a true crime fan that tries to stay on the less-exploitative side of the media I consume, I kinda love the way it's played with in this fic.
It has some stuff to say about the lengths that true crime devotees and culture takes the celebrity and even mysticism bestowed on infamous killers.
...And you know I love me some fanfiction-based social commentary 😅
This one sticks in my head for the ingenuity and creativity involved - as well as a huge understanding of Needy herself.
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Needy Lesnicki: In The Wind and On The Run
'“Who is he?” Clint asks.
Sam shrugs his shoulders. “I don't know. He broke in, only thing he's really said is Steve's name.”'
Split Lip by Mjazilem
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AUs can be an incredible way for fic authors to play around with the characters and situations involved in the canon.
...and the best AUs are often the least fantastical.
(Fandom notes:
AUs = Alternate Universes.
Canon = the 'official' stuff in the book/film/whatever)
Basically, Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers (from the MCU/Marvel fandom, dearest potentially-lost nerdlets,) used to be foster brothers, until they lost touch and Steve heard that Bucky passed away.
Bucky had not passed away.
And now, at the worst possible time cos Steve's out of town, there's a bleeding teenager with a knife in Sam and Steve's kitchen.
The way the fic author commits to this AU, and manages to integrate the characters into it without it feeling forced, really made it memorable (plus... I couldn't stop reading it, OK? It was very page-turn-y!)
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Dealing With The Stabby Teenager In Your Kitchen
'“Alex,” he said quickly, his voice strained. “I need you to overrule security protocol and allow me access to a cell in the basement-level holding facility. Please listen carefully, I require several apparatuses to ensure my escape is at its lowest likelihood-”'
Present, Past and Future Hunt Me by Namesake
I had to include this one in the list!
Just the whole... *waves hands* -ness of it!
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It's like a whole-a** season arc of Supergirl.
It's incredible, and at just under 500 pages and, according to the author's notes, taking two years to complete - it shows some goddamn dedication!
And it has everything.
Action? Check.
Angst? Check.
Plot twists? Character interactions? The power of freaking love?! Check, check, check!
And not only do we have OTP Brainy and Nia taking front and centre in the fight against one of Brainy's evil ancestors, we also get Kara and J'onn being super superheroes, and Alex and Kelly doing their whole kick-a** Lesbian action hero schtick!
Oh and Lena! Lena's here too.
Honestly, if you're a Supergirl fan, you're gonna love it!
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Like A Whole Season Arc of Supergirl
'“Who would be controlling it?” Joaquin asked. “And why our camp?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Why those six kids in the movie? It’s just entertainment, right? Entertainment doesn’t need a big message with metaphors and motifs.”'
(Fandom notes:
SamBucky, also known as Winter Falcon, is a sexual and/or romantic relationship between Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes)
OK, so, hear me out: horror movie summer camp with teenage MCU characters.
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...Do I have to say more? Oh, I do, OK - how about this: there's Sam, Bucky, and Steve, as well as Joaquin Torres, Kate Bishop, and Yelena Belova AND America Chavez, Peter Parker, and Kamala Khan!
Just, this whole fic really sticks in my brain for it's perfect horror camp schtick, y'know? I love it.
Original rec'ing post: Friday Fics Fix - Horror Movie MCU
What fics stood out to you in 2022?
Have you read any of these?
Talk to me! 😎💬
Previous Friday Fics Fix posts:
Sharing and commenting makes me believe you wanna keep reading these posts! 😅
It's Thursday, it's the first Comics Wrap-Up of 2023, this is Dora Reads, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
December - you gotta love December (well, I do anyway,) if only for the Christmas-ness.
True, December was, like much of 2022, full of ups, downs, and in-betweens.
But Christmas was nice - maybe not The Best Christmas Ever™, but then, is it ever?
I had a nice cwtchy* Christmas at home with my parents, my cats, and my brother. Who bakes awesome mince pies and gives them to me. (The brother, not the cats.)
*Just realised when editing that this is Wenglish and most of you won't know what being cwtchy means 😅 - uh... it doesn't really have a direct translation. It's kind of like combining huggy, and homely, and cozy... only better!
More Micropoetry!
And yes, this covers both October and November, because I decided to combine them for... efficiency. Yeah, let's call it efficiency. 😅
As always, the poetry will be in the alt-text of the images for those using screen readers, with / marks for the line breaks.
November wasn't great.
I mean... it wasn't the worst month ever.
And any month you can walk away from is a good one.
But yeah, November wasn't great.
Sometimes I think the world really did end in 2012, it just took a while for us to notice.
The 2020s just feel pretty apocalyptic so far, don't they?
Warning: this post discusses hatred, hate crimes, persecution, and bigotry
In remembrance of the Colorado Springs victims*:
Raymond Green Vance (He/Him)
Kelly Loving (She/Her)
Daniel Aston (He/Him)
Derrick Rump (He/Him)
Ashley Paugh (She/Her)
- and in honour of those facing all forms of discrimination and human rights violations in Qatar*, and also around the world.
*links contain disturbing and/or upsetting content
'...he couldn’t quite grasp yet what that feeling had been.
He only knows that he had seen it mirrored in Ash Tyler’s dark eyes.'
In my opinion as a fanfiction professional -
(Lol - kind of, I've written literally hundreds of these posts dontcha know! So I reckon if anything qualifies me as a 'fanfiction professional' then that does 😅)
- there aren't enough angst fics about Ash Tyler.
I mean c'mon fic writers! He's right there and brimming with angst!
It's Thursday, the FIFA World Cup should not have been awarded to Qatar, let's get some superhero-y comics-y goodness!
Disclaimer time: I am not any kind of mental health, medical, or life-coach-style professional. I'm a random Welsh chick with a blog - nothing more, nothing less
Lazy people exist, I'm sure.
Lord knows, we've all met a few in the course of our lives - and they'll keep on being lazy regardless of what I do or do not say.
But most people aren't lazy
- we just tell ourselves we are.
'“You think you can? You’re talking about a goddamn plane, you’re going to have to do better than ‘think’ you can, Bucky!”
“I’m pretty sure I can figure out a landing. Or at least a controlled crash. It’ll be okay.”'
We've established I'm trash by this point, so that'll save me a lot of explaining and justifying myself 😅.
So, with that in mind - this is an MCU (Marvel movies and TV shows,) The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS) fic.
Yes, again.
Not explaining, not justifying. 😈😅
It's Thursday, the world is weird, let's get some comics-y superhero-y goodness!
Sometimes it feels like I'm jumping up and down, trying to get attention for my writing, my blogging, my whatever-ing...
...only to get lost amongst all of the other people jumping up and down and vying for your attention in an increasingly noisy world.
I love novel-length fanfiction!
I know, I know, it's not exactly a secret at this point.
...I didn't always; love novel-length fanfiction, that is.
I used to prefer the shorter the better.
But somewhere along the way my reading habits changed, and now I can't get enough of the novel and novella length stuff.
It's Thursday, I am very tired (and that's OK, dammit,) let's get some superhero-y comics-y goodness!
Warning: this post discusses spiders - no pictures of spiders though, because I wouldn't do that to myself.
I also briefly discuss illegal drugs because I like variety, apparently.
October was... pretty good, all in all.
I mean... the UK economy collapsed, followed by the UK government, and everything feels a bit like a slow-motion breakdown of society, so... that wasn't good.
Still, apart from all that, October was pretty good.
Somehow some people still seem to think climate change is a tomorrow problem.
It's not.
It's a today problem.
'Maybe it’s the last many months catching up with him, or the fractured ribs, or the way Sam watches him like a damn hawk. Maybe it’s a peace offering. Maybe he’s trying to get Sam to let his guard down. Hard to tell, with a hundred year old assassin.'
Some fic authors I'll come back to again and again, cos they got the stuff I want.
This week's fic comes from one of those authors.
This is based on - what else? - The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (TFATWS).
It involves mission fic-ness, novel-length (150ish pages,) superhero shenanigans, and enough angst to keep my goblin emo spaghetti brain from protesting too much.
